About-matagalpa

Images of Matagalpa

June 2007

June 25, 2007

So we are home. Not only have I already eaten the beloved velveeta and hot dogs, but I also just slept in a bed with no bug net and no constantly growing valley in the center of the mattress, I am about to take a shower with hot, dirt-free water that flows strongly from a shower head mounted on the wall, and later on today, after visiting most of my family, I will cook myself a steak and corn (notice…no rice or mystery crunchies there). Although I am excited to be home for many different reasons, I am definitely feeling sad to be finished with our trip and mostly to be away from the group. We spent a long time planning and creating expectations; some of which were interrupted or changed, but we adapted better and better with each “surprise,” not to be confused with a “disaster.”

I went on this trip expecting to learn a lot. Mostly my expectations were in learning about a culture very different from my own and then in learning about myself. I did learn about the culture of the people we lived with in Tanzania; however, I learned that a lot of their culture parallels our own yet is still obviously very different. I am not sure if I took full advantage of the opportunity for cultural exchange, but I was most certainly overwhelmed, if not with the seemingly “slow motion” rate of flow in every day life in Pommern, then definitely by the language barrier and shocked and yelling faces staring as mzungus walked by. Even still, I learned, probably mostly about myself. Before this trip, I was hardly nervous about jumping into a community of people with limited communication and very different ways of life. I was mostly nervous about traveling with a huge group and constantly being with almost twenty other people for more than three weeks. Let me just say, it was not easy, for any of us. Now, however, I can say that I would go any where with most of the people in our group and do pretty much anything for them as we came a long way together, learning with each step and “surprise.” I’ve learned that I can put up with things, but once I get hungry or hot, watch out because you will probably hear about it. After a snack to revive blood sugar levels, it is important to realize that I may have over reacted and make amends with the person who was on the receiving end of my flare-up. I have learned that if I am having a rough day, I can always find someone who is having a worse day, and putting my problems aside to help them feel better is more effective than moping. I have learned that patience is indeed a very important aspect of working in a group of peers, also in a culturally new and diverse experience, and in life in general. I have learned what sort of communication within the group is effective and what is definitely not. I have learned that, although eating rice and potato eggs everyday for three weeks is not the most appealing thing, it can be done (thank you, immodium and pepto).

So, with all of the “surprises” we faced along the way and with all of the “short” speeches we endured, I may have taken more out of this trip that I anticipated and in a very different way. When I look back on this trip and wear my Maasai earrings and my $7 custom made skirt, I will remember the fun I had with my friends acquiring these souvenirs and the way we overcame the differences and new experiences we faced as a group and as individuals. We will forever have reminders of this trip, the things we learned, and the friendships we made, and hopefully, as Rob says, they will last a lifetime because I just know the next time I lose my luggage, am within half an hour of the destination and find out my room has been double booked, question a doctor’s treatment of a baby boy who clearly has meningitis, or wait two hours for a half of a cheeseburger, I am going to be looking around for the people on this trip to do it with me again. Of course, the next time I sing “Build Me Up Buttercup,” sit at a waterfall for hours even though I am not allowed to touch the water for fear of parasites, or haggle with (aka yell at) street vendors, I will be looking for the group too. Whether they are really there or not, I know I will handle things with more ease just in memory of what we went through together, because in the end we are all stronger, and we have all learned.

So, thanks to our leaders and my fellow team members for bringing yourselves on this trip. You may have made a difference to people in Pommern, but I think it is safe to say that you have somehow made a difference in each and every member of our team. I am forever grateful for out time spent together, the memories we made, and the friendships we created.

I have read these words for more than 15 years countless times. They come from a sign at the entrance of a camp that has been a very important part of my life. These words have been ingrained in my head and exemplify how I live.

When I am asked to describe my experience in Pommern I will use this phrase: It has been an experience that will last a lifetime. The next question is obvious — why? “Why” is a little harder to answer.

Everyone here knows I have openly complained about this trip. I have complained about team members, the town, food, and especially writing in this journal. Secretly though I have been touched by this trip. Working in the clinic has given me a chance to see healthcare in a form I would never see in the US. Being a spectacle to kids because I am white is something that would never happen in Vermont. The greatest thing though is hanging with people I would never chill with at school. This is what causes the most distress, and my sometimes outward personality. For most people this is a summer trip between school years. Come August they will be back in the rustic mountains of Vermont enjoying the college life at Norwich. For me and other it's our last Hoorah — our last college experience before taking on the world. Come August I will be serving my country in the Army. No more college for more or at least for some time. Knowing how life leads us all on different paths, I wonder if mine will ever intersect again with one of my team members. My biggest fear is leaving Boston and never seeing anyone on this trip again.

Then I realize I probably won't ever see any of these people in Pommern again either. Regardless of how good my intention is for that not to happen.

When I leave Pommern tomorrow I will look back knowing I have left a small fingerprint on this community. What Pommern won't realize is the big one it has left on me.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007
This morning Stacey and I went to the computer lab to finish typing the forms up on the school computer. We still have two forms to complete, but we decided it was a good idea to just start the filing project, and have Mr. Dunkin finish it so he has a good feel of how we wanted the filing to go. We got a few folders that we can also begin to write names on and further begin the filing process. Tomorrow Stacey, Kim and I are going to try to organize Mr. Dunkins office, and hand over the completed filing. When we finally finished the filing, and planed out what we are doing tomorrow, we returned to the mission house and then headed out to the waterfall. On the way back Rob ran into us looking for Evan, and he was on his way to see a circumcision at the clinic. I ended up going with Rob and it was a great experience. Evan joined us half way through, and it was very successful. Tomorrow is our last day, and Stacey, Kim and I still have a lot of filing to do, and we are ending the day with a celebration. Tomorrow will be a full day, and a perfect last day, hopefully.

Today can be summed up with the words chaotic peacefulness. The morning was early, as the team prepared to say goodbye to Kate. It was sad to see her go but she had a new chapter to begin in her life with the Navy, whereas the remainder of the team continued here with our service.

After breakfast many people, I believe six all together, ventured off on their home visits with other members of the community. Then, Chelsie and I went to the clinic with the intention of cutting labels to place on the hundreds of pill bottles that our group donated earlier in the trip. Much to our disbelief, within ten minutes of this label-cutting session, the cashier came in and said the doctor needed us. When we arrived at the front of the building there were about fifty mothers carrying screaming babies. A baby clinic — Chelsie and I questioned ourselves wondering why we didn’t know about it. Baby after baby we hung on a hook by their jumper suit, we weighed them, recorded the weight and tried not to have a heart attack when the little ones would swing and tilt out of their suits. Needless to say, this was the crazy part of the day.

After lunch I decided to attend a journalism workshop that Jay, our photographer, was holding in the reading room. The discussion was great and the turnout of students was terrific. Afterwards I took a 1920s typewriter and laptop to the headmaster's office to explain that the reason they were not working was that the typewriter needed batteries and the laptop needed a power cord because the battery was dead. Afterwards went off to find the rest of the group.

Once back at the mission house, a group of the volunteers decided to go out to the waterfall, a place few know of, and one was almost always guaranteed silence. Maybe that’s because you can't play an annoying card game called spit where you slam the table repeatedly and keep everyone up at night or, maybe it's just because we all need some downtime to enjoy ourselves in Africa.

Date: Sunday June 17, 2007
I was told by someone at home that I needed to write more…for some reason I haven’t really felt that culture shock that everyone was talking about…and I guess that is part of the reason I haven’t had much to say…When I first started this project…I began to prepare for the unexpected…I wanted to arrive here with no idea what to expect…I think that might have been a contributing factor to my lack of culture shock… I came here not knowing what to expect and I know I will be leaving here knowing so much more… Not only about another country with a culture vastly different from my own…but about myself…the things this team of mzungus has accomplished is amazing…

From the Health Clinic where Rob and Kate had to make some tough medical decisions and second-guess, not only themselves, but the doctors as well in order to save a life. I know you to will make excellent nurses in the real world…And we can’t forget the other nursing students like Chelsea and Jess…who are putting their educations to the test when they assist Doctor Godlove. You guys are experiencing things that other nursing students can’t even imagine.

Then we look at the environmental group. Together with Quinn’s testing of the water for bacteria and pathogens, and the research done by John, Mo, and Evan about composting, this community will have many safe years of drinking water now that this idea and technology has been introduced to them. Lets not forget the work on the running track for the secondary school. I have to say guys…as hard of work as that was…I enjoyed every second of it working with you two…I hope the community uses buttercup for years to come.

Lets not forget the education group. Stacy and Bianca, I know your filing system will be something the school uses to keep students organized as well as have backups for emergencies. And Professors Lewis and Susan, I hope the traits you taught the Secondary School faculty gives them the ability to teach students how to become great members of society. Also the work Nicole, Karen and Chris have done with putting in windows will benefit the community and make for a more comfortable abode for the students of Secondary School.

Moriah, the work you have done with the building of the new dispensary for the Secondary School will be something they will look at and use for years to come and remember how that Master of Architecture from America showed them how the job was done right. Lets not forget Kim. Your assistance with the computers at the school is something this community needed greatly. You efforts will allow this community to take steps in learning arts that are necessary for living in this ever-progressing world, that even confuses me.

And last but certainly not least, Jay. Jay you have been an inspiration to me. I have always been interested in photography and I have to say watching you in action has only furthered that. Always ready with your two six shooters at your sides and the occasional Chinese camera, you move through Pommern like you weren’t even Mzungu… Sometimes I don’t even see you standing behind a crowd of townspeople until I see the unmistakable flash of the “Jay shot”. I hope I can be half the photographer you are sometime so I can capture every moment of life forever on my really expensive camera some day. I guess through writing this entry I realized what I was looking for. That the world needs more dedicated people to heal us, educate us, and inspire us to make the world a better place. Tanzania team 2007 thank you for showing me what “extraordinary people” look like.

6/17/07
Our last days in Pommern and our first days home…
Chelsie wants to learn more about the diagnosing and treatments used in Pommern and will be eating Velveeta and hot dogs as her first meal in the states.
Evan misses American food.
Bianca wants to finish filing and organizing forms for the school and will be in bed watching a House marathon when she gets home.
Kate would like to finish labeling medicine bottles for the clinic and is excited to get ahold of some books she would like to read.
Stacey would also like to complete the filing for the school and plans on cuddling and eating steak, veggies and mashed potatoes when she gets home.
Jay is looking forward to the interviews he has scheduled and misses his family.
Jess would like to see all of our projects get completed and misses her family, friends, country music, and whole milk.
Nicole plans to talk to more of the students and work on the career development corner in the library. What she misses most are The Daily Show, grilled cheese sandwiches and cuddling with her cats.
Chris feels like he has accomplished what he came for and misses talking to his father most.
John would like to know that at least one Tanzanian has used a composting toilet before we leave, and misses hot running showers that don’t involve a bucket.
Moriah would like to discuss her master planning ideas with the head master of the secondary school, and she misses her parents and pizza most.
Maureen would like to see 5 trees donated to the school and misses rollerblading.
Quinn wants to spend at least one day in the clinic and plans on calling her family, taking the longest shower of her life and grilling a steak when she gets home.

Friday, June 14, 2007
It has been a long time since I wrote in this journal and so much has happened. We arrived in Pommern as people described and got to work on our assigned projects. Evan, Josh and I have been working hard on improving the sporting grounds and getting them ready for use in inter-town and school athletic competitions to begin in July. We have almost fully completed a 400-meter track built from scratch and have made a soccer net for one of their goals.

Since their projects are nearing completion and time is running out, we have turned our focus to the issue that we chose to take on and try to come up with a sustainable solution to waste management. Evan being in the environmental group and I in the economic sustainability group have chosen a project that that addresses both areas.

A major problem in Pommern is waste management: the system they use right now is to build a building over a hole in the ground and use it as a toilet until it fills. They then cement over it and build a new one. This is not only gross but very bad for the soil and water supply near by. Another problem they have is with the use of fertilizers. Not only are they expensive but the rain washes a lot of the chemicals into the water supply making it unsafe to drink.

Our solution: COMPOSTING

Before the trip I did some research on composting and specifically the composting of human waste. I brought with me all of that information and instructions on how to implement it. Not only will this give an alternative to burying the waste in the ground but it will create an inexpensive and all-organic fertilizer for the town to use along with the rest of the environment group. Nicole, Margaret (our local environmental expert), Evan and I met with the upendo women's group today to present our materials and get their suggestions on how it might be best to implement something like this. The meeting was very successful and the women all agreed that composting is a great idea. There was a little snag through when using human waste was suggested. I guess people didn’t like the idea of carrying their poop out back in a bucket and dumping it in a big pile, go figure.

As weird as that may sound, it is a common practice in many third world countries and when done correctly really isn’t all that gross. We have scheduled another larger scale town wide meeting for Sunday after church and hope to gain more support there.

In other news Chris, Josh, ay and I taught 6-8 of the local students how to play American football last night. It was a great time and they were surprisingly good although they had some issues with throwing form and not throwing it again once they caught it. They were all very good at kicking though.

Now it's really late and everyone else in sleeping so lala salama and tutaoonoana Boadai.

June 12, 2007
Wednesday
The only way that I can describe today is peaceful and eerily quiet. After living in a house with 20 people for over a week, some alone time is something to be yearned for. This house may be large, but sharing 1 ½ semi-functional bathrooms and a dining room table which always seems to be missing one chair, we have all gotten a little close for comfort at times. Most of the group made a voyage to Iringa today to write emails and do research, and buy more essential supplies like Pringles and Nutella. Meanwhile, Mo, Quinn, Chris, Moriah and I stayed, along with Susan and Lewis. Chris and I unintentionally slept in for most of the morning, because there was no ruckus in the house to wake us up like usual. Mo and Quinn went on an adventurous walk past the Roman catholic church and saw some newborn puppies along the way.

We all met up for lunch, and this time I actually got some watermelon, which is usually long gone before I get to the table. After lunch Chris and I went down to the school to track down our Tanzanian painting compadres and we painted one classroom. At 2:30 all of us headed to the library for a discussion on the seven laws of teaching headed by none other then mama Susan. The local teachers and students joined in the discussion enthusiastically and described to us the national disease that is mathematics. After the class we went back up to the mission house to enjoy our last moments in a quiet house. Once the crew returned it would be dinner, and time for our nightly meeting, and of course back to fighting over the limited fruit and working toilets.

June 11, 2007
Monday
It’s Monday and we are beginning another service week. Today I woke up sick and not feeling so great, still I woke up and headed off to continue painting the classrooms with Karen, Maureen, and Bianca, who joined us after she was done at the clinic. Kate, Rob, Jess, and Chelse also went to the clinic for the baby-weighing day. Chris and Nicole continued to replace windows. Moriah and Kim went to the new dispensary to continue with the construction. Evan, John, and Josh were at the playground working on the track. By the end of the morning we completed the two classrooms we began on Wednesday, but we soon learned that we had a few more classrooms to go. After a very needed nap, Nicole, Bianca, Kim and I headed to meet with Mr.Wilbert (headmaster) to discuss education needs at the secondary school. I am really excited about the projects that we discussed and I am looking forward to begin working on them.

After our meeting we went to the soccer field to watch the guys, Haran, and the villagers play soccer, and I am sad to say that the mzungus lost. Tonight we had a real good discussion after dinner. Many people had thoughts and feelings to share with the group. I am very happy that we are able to express how we feel in a civil, mature and positive way. So the lights will be out soon, and I guess I should go to bed. Tomorrow some of us will be going to Iringa, and the rest will continue doing their service projects.